Beloved husband and father, Richard Harry Nadeau, 81, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away on April 7, 2025. He was born to parents Richard G. Nadeau and Mary Rose Nadeau, on June 27, 1943 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He lived a life filled with friendship, family, love, and adventure. 

Rick grew up in Granville, Massachusetts.  He worked in a local apple orchard before and after school with his three brothers, Joe, Bob, and John.  Rick was bright and driven from a young age.  He graduated from high school when he was only 16 years old. He was curious and well-read. He served in the US Air Force for 4 years until he was injured in an accident in which a hydraulic fuel pump exploded, almost taking his life, burning the left side of his body, and leaving him unable to use his left arm.  After a long stay in the hospital, Rick overcame the odds and eventually taught himself how to use his arm again. 

Rick met his bride, Susan Evelyn Norris, in Granville and they were married on October 31, 1964.  Together they raised their only daughter, Angela. The family of three had many adventures together living in multiple areas of the states including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and North Carolina.  They eventually settled in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they have lived for the last 47 years.  

Richard was exceptionally talented and was continually seeking knowledge of new things.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in physics.  He worked in a variety of fields throughout his life that illustrated how versatile his abilities really were. He worked building power plants and as a nuclear physicist at Combustion Engineering, he worked as a carpenter in a family construction business, he operated two stores and an arcade at Ocean Lakes Campground, and he managed multiple restaurants for the Tadlock Company. Rick taught math and physics at Coastal Academy and Socastee High School where he was affectionately called Dr. Nadeau by many of his students because of his intellectual ability.  He earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Richard was ahead of his time.  He purchased a frozen yogurt machine for one of his Myrtle Beach stores before anyone had ever known what it was, he explored video rentals locally before Blockbuster came to town, and he tinkered with all kinds of technology before the concepts were introduced to the general public. This curiosity and advanced thinking led him to be hired as the director of technology for Horry County Schools.  He started as a department of 1 and grew the department to over 40 people.  Rick was instrumental in building a solid network capacity for 54 schools and leading the way for the integration of technology at all levels of the organization. He was known as a leader that was influential statewide when technology was in its infancy as he brought SC districts together regularly to discuss his vision for what was possible.  He presented at multiple conferences around the nation and was honored with awards such as the SC EdTech “Making it Happen” award.  When he retired after 20+ years as the Executive Director for Technology for Horry County Schools, a system was in place to allow for all students to have access to their own computer.  His legacy and forward thinking is still prevalent today in HCS classrooms.

   
Rick’s favorite pastime was to spend time with his family.  He was a man of nature- an outdoorsman, a camper, a gardener, a builder, and a biker. Rick loved spending time cycling. On his 40th birthday, he rode his bicycle from Myrtle Beach to Charleston. He also loved to ride motorcycles with his friends and family and rode from age 25 to 75 all over the U.S.  Richard was also known as “the woodrodent.” He was an avid woodworker spending much of his time in his shop building things for his family and friends.

 
After retirement, Richard volunteered at St. James Middle School building and played chauffeur to his grandchildren, Chandler and Gracie. He toured the country with his wife Susan visiting the 50 states. Everyone who knew Richard felt his kindness and generosity.  He was intentional and thoughtful.  He taught his daughter and grandkids to give back in ways that many would not think of.  For example, on Christmas Eve when everything is closed, the local convenience stores remain open. Rick would purchase gift cards for all of the workers giving up time with their families. He would take his family to 10 different stores to deliver the gift cards just to bring a smile to a stranger's face.  This is just one example of how he cared for others and the legacy he left on his family. 
Richard is survived by his daughter Angela McCune (Mike), grandchildren Chandler and Gracie McCune, sister-in-law Billie Lou “Sis” Boyd, brothers in-law William Norris (Lori)  and Kenneth Norris (Karen), nieces Virginia Dolan (Tom), Victoria Wright (Greg), and Veronica Boyd, nephew Michael Norris (Cara), and great-nieces and nephews Briana (Travis), Austin (Jazmin), Noah (Jena), Caitlin, Zachary (Hannah), Steven, Tommy (Sarah), and Angela’s mother-in-law Bev McCune.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Norris Nadeau, parents’ Richard and Rose Nadeau, brothers John Nadeau and Joseph Nadeau, and granddaughter Rachel Anne McCune.

A celebration of life gathering will be held this summer on July 12, 2025, from 4-6 pm at the Cypress River Plantation Clubhouse (408 Chamberlin Road, Myrtle Beach, SC).  We will honor Richard with remembrances, fellowship, hors d'oeuvres, and music. 

 

Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) of Myrtle Beach South Carolina is assisting the family with the arrangements.